Iván Pérez Wins 2026 ECP Squash Open

UNSQUASHABLE player Iván Pérez won produced one of the finest weeks of his professional career to capture the 2026 ECP Squash Open title in emphatic fashion at Esporte Clube Pinheiros, overcoming a series of demanding tests to lift the trophy in São Paulo.

Seeded second for the PSA World Tour event, the Spaniard showcased a blend of tactical discipline, physical resilience and attacking precision throughout the tournament, culminating in a commanding straight-games victory over top seed Toufik Mekhalfi in the final.

Iván wrapped up the title with an outstanding 11-2 13-11 12-10 triumph in 58 minutes, delivering one of his most complete performances of the week. From the opening rallies, the 2nd seed imposed relentless pressure through accurate length and intelligent use of the front court, preventing Mekhalfi from establishing any rhythm.

The opening game was one-sided, with Iván dominating the central area and punishing every loose ball to storm through 11-2. The Frenchman responded strongly in the second and third games, pushing the Spaniard into two tense finishes, but Iván remained composed under pressure, producing his best squash at the crucial moments to close out both tie-breaks and seal the title in style.

The road to the final, however, was far from straightforward.

Iván began his campaign with a controlled straight-games victory over Belgium’s Joeri Hapers, easing into the tournament with an assured 11-2 11-8 11-8 success in just 34 minutes. His sharp movement and early-ball striking immediately set the tone for the week ahead.

The quarter-finals presented a far sterner examination against France’s Edwin Clain. After taking the first game comfortably, Iván found himself under sustained pressure as Clain battled back to move 2-1 ahead. The Spaniard responded impressively, regaining control of the tempo and demonstrating notable mental resilience to fight back for an 11-2 10-12 9-11 11-7 11-8 victory after 74 gruelling minutes.

That comeback appeared to strengthen Iván further heading into the semi-finals, where he faced Argentina’s Jeremias Azaña in another physically demanding encounter. Once again, the Spaniard displayed composure in the key moments, controlling the opening two games before weathering an Argentine fightback to eventually prevail 11-5 12-10 9-11 11-8 in 80 minutes.

Across the tournament, Iván demonstrated impressive maturity in his shot selection and match management. His ability to absorb pressure while maintaining attacking intent proved decisive, particularly in the latter stages of matches where his composure consistently separated him from his opponents.

The title triumph in Brazil marks another significant milestone in Iván’s development on the PSA World Squash Tour and reinforces his growing reputation as one of Europe’s most accomplished and tactically intelligent competitors.

2026 ECP Squash Open, Esporte Clube Pinheiros, São Paulo, Brazil
Final:
[2] Iván Pérez (ESP) bt [1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) 11-2, 13-11, 12-10 (58m) 

Semi-Finals:
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [7] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) 5-11, 11-5, 11-2, 5-11, 11-5 (67m)
[2] Iván Pérez (ESP) bt [3] Jeremias Azaña (ARG) 11-5, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8 (80m)

Quarter-Finals:
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt Benjamin Aubert (FRA) 11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 11-2 (57m)
[7] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bt [4] Nicholas Spizzirri (USA) 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7 (62m)
[3] Jeremias Azaña (ARG) bt [5] Rhys Evans (WAL) 6-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-9 (54m)
[2] Iván Pérez (ESP) bt [8] Edwin Clain (FRA) 11-2, 10-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8 (74m)

2nd Round:
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [9/16] Dillon Huang (USA) 11-7, 11-7, 11-9 (39m)
Benjamin Aubert (FRA) bt [6] Diego Gobbi (BRA) 11-7, 11-8, 11-13, 12-10 (59m)
[7] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bt [9/16] Marwan Mahmoud Assal (EGY) 11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6 (94m)
[4] Nicholas Spizzirri (USA) bt [9/16] Joshua Phinera (FRA) 11-9, 11-3, 11-7 (36m)
[3] Jeremias Azaña (ARG) bt [9/16] Andrés Herrera (COL) 11-7, 11-8, 10-12, 11-4 (63m)
[5] Rhys Evans (WAL) bt Manuel Paquemar (FRA) 11-2, 11-8, 11-5 (38m)
[8] Edwin Clain (FRA) bt [9/16] Shady El Sherbiny (EGY) 11-6, 8-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-4 (72m)
[2] Iván Pérez (ESP) bt [9/16] Joeri Hapers (BEL) 11-2, 11-8, 11-8 (34m)

1st Round:
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bye
[9/16] Dillon Huang (USA) bt Baptiste Bouin (FRA) 14-12, 8-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-3 (76m)
Benjamin Aubert (FRA) bt [9/16] Seif Tamer (EGY) 10-12, 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 (47m)
[6] Diego Gobbi (BRA) bye
[7] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA)    bye
[9/16] Marwan Mahmoud Assal (EGY) bt Pedro Mometto (BRA) 13-11, 11-9, 9-11, 13-11 (71m)
[9/16] Joshua Phinera (FRA) bt [WC] Murilo Penteado (BRA) 11-13, 11-3, 11-2, 11-6 (40m)
[4] Nicholas Spizzirri (USA) bye
[3] Jeremias Azaña (ARG) bye
[9/16] Andrés Herrera (COL) bt Edgar Ramirez Bautista (COL) 11-8, 9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6 (80m)
Manuel Paquemar (FRA) bt [9/16] Abdullah Hafez (EGY) 8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8 (64m)
[5] Rhys Evans (WAL) bye
[8] Edwin Clain (FRA) bye
[9/16] Shady El Sherbiny (EGY) bt [WC] Matheus Carbonieri (BRA) 11-4, 11-2, 11-7 (24m)
[9/16] Joeri Hapers (BEL) bt [WC] Vinicius Berbel (BRA) 11-6, 11-9, 11-4 (33m)
[2] Iván Pérez (ESP) bye